Relive the Panthers’ run to the Stanley Cup finals
Florida Panthers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, right, shakes hands with Pittsburgh Penguins Jaromir Jagr after game 7 of their Eastern Conference playoff series in Pittsburgh, Saturday June 1, 1996. The Panthers defeated the Penguins 3-1 and will meet the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup finals. (AP Photo / George Widman) (GEORGE WIDMAN / Associated Press)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The Panthers will be making their fifth trip to the postseason (starting Thursday vs. Islanders), and they have not won a playoff series since their best run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996.
Florida Panthers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, left center, is congratulated by his teammates as the Florida Panthers celebrate their 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 7 of their playoff series in Pittsburgh Saturday June 1, 1996. The Panthers will face the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup finals. (AP Photo / George Widman) (GEORGE WIDMAN / Associated Press)
Philadelphia Flyers’ Shjon Podein (25) grimaces as Florida Panthers players celebrate a goal by Dave Lowry during the 3rd period of their Stanley Cup playoff game in Philadelphia Thursday May 2, 1996. The Panthers defeated the Flyers 2-0. (AP Photo/ Rusty Kennedy) (RUSTY KENNEDY / Associated Press)
Florida Panthers Johan Garpenlov (29) and Tom Fitzgerald (21) celebrate Garpenlov’s goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third period of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals Saturday, June 1, 1996, in Pittsburgh. The Panthers defeated the Penguins 3-1 to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals where they will face the Colorado Avalanche. (AP Photo/George Widman) (GEORGE WIDMAN / Associated Press)
Florida Panthers’ Stu Barnes, left, and Brian Skrudland share a laugh as they pose with the Prince of Wales Trophy in Pittsburgh on Saturday June 1, 1996. The Panthers will meet the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup finals after their game 7 Eastern Conference series playoff win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. (AP Photo / Gene J. Puskar) (GENE J. PUSKAR / Associated Press)
Florida Panthers Tom Fitzgerald (21), right, is congratulated by his teammate Bill Lindsay (11) after he scored the go-ahead goal in the 3rd period against Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tom Barrasso in Pittsburgh Saturday June 1, 1996. The Panthers defeated the Penguins 3-1 in game 7 of their Eastern Conference playoff series and will meet the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup finals. (AP Photo / George Widman) (GEORGE WIDMAN / Associated Press)
Florida Panthers Johan Garpenlov (29) is knocked down by Colorado Avalanche Sylvain Lefebvre (2) in the first period of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Monday, June 10, 1996, in Miami. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk) (HANS DERYK / Associated Press)
Colorado Avalanche Warren Rychel (16) sits in the net as Florida Panthers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck lies on the ice after they collided in the second period of Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Monday, June, 10, 1996, in Miami. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk) (HANS DERYK / Associated Press)
